artsy-crafty babe

my friday post on sunday

Oh boy, what a week. 

I had every intention of getting back here sooner, but, well, you know how life is.

I was supposed to tell you last Monday who won the fabric.

I wanted to tell you about our weekend out of town at a soccer tournament. (main reason for lagging this week – I can’t handle whirlwind weekend travel as a family of 6!!)

I also had thoughts about whining here about feeling in a slump. (what’s new)

So, how about I go ahead and do all of those things now in one big gigantic post?

First things first – the fabric winner:

Congrats, Patti!  Send me your mailing address and I’ll get your fat quarter stack in the mail pronto.

I loved reading about all your ideas on how to use the fabric.  Y'all are so clever! Next time I'm looking for an idea on something to sew, I'm going to look at those comments.

The soccer tournament was fun.  It was at the beach, but I never actually made it to the beach.  I chose to spend my non-soccer game time at the pool.  Ava and I got some time to hang out at the lazy river, which I think was my favorite part.  The awkward wedding that was taking place at the lazy river was a bonus, and just plain weird. 

My other favorite part was taking photos at an early morning game.  The light was gorgeous!  There was dew on the ground and pecan trees in the background.  I was totally geeking out over the light.  With the sunrise in the background those girls were glowing. Taking those photos made me want to pick up my camera more.

I’m not going to whine about my slump.  When I get like that, I don’t like to wallow in it, though I do know it’s important to acknowledge it.  I’ve moved on.  What got me out of it was making a list of those things that I want to do/work on (and a little blog surfing for inspiration doesn’t hurt).

I am currently obsessed with this quilt.  I can’t stop thinking about it.  I came across it when I was checking out some decorating blogs.  Absolutely LOVE it.  I’m tempted to make one just like it in blue& white (once I figure out how to make it), but I just made a quilt in those colors.  What color should I try?  Gold?  Green?

For weeks I’ve been wanting to revisit this project, which is buried away somewhere.  I think it will be the perfect bag to take me into fall and carry me through winter.  Plus, I’m kind of itching to work with leather again.  I'm totally inspired by Lori's gorgeous creations.

As if those two projects aren’t enough to keep me busy, I also have a birthday party to plan and I’m thinking about painting some furniture – you know, the whole feathering my nest with a change in seasons.

Well, since this post didn't get posted on Friday like I planned, I can tell you that as of Sunday morning I didn't work on any of those projects. Instead I've been on a quest to find a blouse pattern to fit my body.  Two muslins complete, I think I found a winner.  I've got one more muslin to go, then I'll tell you all about it.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

olive the ostrich giveaway

Yay! A giveaway - FABRIC!!  I teased you with the goods a few months ago...and that day is finally here!  Now is your chance to win a set of 8 fat quarters from the Olive the Ostrich line from Robert Kaufman, designed by Laurie Wisbrun.

Um, yeah, it took me a little while to get it together.  I knew that I wanted to make a bag, and I knew that I wanted scallops.  A scalloped tote seemed like the perfect match for these adorable fabrics.  

I was going to turn under the edge of the scallops for a more polished look, but decided on raw edge applique. I love it.  I can't wait to see how it looks after a run through the wash and gets all frayed and ravely.

Oh, but this is Olive the Ostrich fabric, I didn't leave her out.  There she is!  She's keeping watch over the the tutu and ballet shoes. It only took me a few years, but Ava finally has a dance tote of her own (not a Lily hand-me-down). 

If she really wants, she can flip the tote to the reverse to give Olive a look at the world.  Reversible is good, especially when ostriches and hearts are involved.

So, if you'd like a stack of Olive the Ostrich fat quarters, leave a comment on this post telling me what you would make if you were to win.  I'll leave comments open through the weekend and draw a name on Monday Sept. 24.  Good luck!  I can't wait to hear what you plan to make!

one set of fat quarters will be given, open to US residents only

 

 

living

Life is full these days.  School, soccer, dance class, homework, supper, laundry, you know - usual stuff.

A few times I actually thought to bring out the big camera to capture some moments.  It all goes by so quickly, doesn't it? Having Ceci around certainly reminds me of that.  Speaking of the little miss, can you believe that she'll turn 1 next month?  It's time to start thinking about a party.  It will be here before I know it.

These children of mine are growing like weeds! (and eating me out of house and home)

I was going to post about a giveaway today, but decided to catch you (me) up instead.  If I don't document these days before they fly out of my head, I'll never remember.  I know that one of these days I'm going to miss all of this, all of the busyness that fill my day.

Giveaway tomorrow, I promise.

Until then, happy Monday!

one more

After FINALLY getting my Corabelle Bag pattern finished and listed, I decided to make another.  You know, just to make sure that it was okay.

Vintage linen fat quarter in harvest colors?  A bit of ric rac?  Yes and yes.  A sweet little white vintage button?  Of course.

I love how all those elements mix with the gray.  It seems just right for this transition time into fall.

If you're ready to give one a try, the pattern is for sale in my shop. 

 

thursday night sewing

Cathy, Verena, and I have been keeping up with Thursday night sewing when we can. It’s not always every week or all three of us (back to school! hurricane!), but we’re making a point to try, which is nice.  The last few times I participated I worked on some bags.  I know, big surprise!

Back when I was on my color block and gingham kick I made this tote.  It very much fits in with the outfits I was making for Ceci right about that same time.  I’m still loving the fabrics and color combo, but I’m leaning (yearning) more towards fall these days, even though it is still as hot as Hades down here.  It’s a good thing bags don’t go bad, I think I’ll put this one away for next spring.  Or, I could use it as Ceci’s diaper bag, now there’s an idea.  I can coordinate my baby with my bag.

This next one is another version of the Corabelle Bag.  (This poor, forgotten pattern.  Seriously?  I can’t believe that I haven’t listed this pattern yet. Darned busy life!)  When I was planning it out, I knew that I wanted to use those 3 fabrics – the blue, gray, and yellow.  It wasn’t until I started putting it together that I decided to appliqué diamonds down the center.  I had a argyle-esque idea in mind.

Once I sewed those diamonds on, quite wonkily at that, I thought that I had made a mistake.  It looked so country to me!  No, there’s nothing wrong with country, but it wasn’t the look I was going for.  Cathy convinced me to keep going with it, though I was about to rip it all out.  If I hadn’t sewn it on so well, I probably would have.  I’m glad I stuck with it and added the hand stitching, because that totally makes it. (whoops, looks like I need two more stitching lines at the top!) It still looks a bit country to me, but I like it.  This might just be the next bag I carry around, as soon as I get sick of my navy stripes.

For tonight’s sewing, I’ll be working on yet another bag.  I’m only in prototype phase. It’s a simple tote that I’d like to use for a class I’ll be teaching locally in the near future.  Eek!  There's also a quilt top I started this past winter that needs some attention.  Or maybe I’ll just visit and catch up on my crochet granny squares.  Believe me, I have no shortage of projects to work on.

Anyone else have a little Thursday night sewing planned?  What are you working on? 

dotty quilt for the boy

Alex's quilt is finally finished! I won't be winning any awards on speediness with this one - I started it over 3 years ago. The first mention of it I could find was in July 2009, but I made reference to mentioning it before. I'm not sure where it sat for 2 years after that, but about a year ago I started working on it again.

Big and pregnant with an impending baby deadline looming over me, I decided to tackle unfinished projects. I guess this one didn't make it. I got the the point of making the quilt sandwich, but that's it. It sat there pin basted and folded up for almost a year.  I had no more excuses, it was time to finish that thing!

While still on my quilt high from the star quilt, I took a few hours to quilt this thing.  At this point, I wasn't sure if Alex would even like it any more. He was okay with polka dots as a 5 yr old boy, and now he was 8. Tastes change.

Thankfully, he still liked it. Actually, he had no recollection that it ever existed in the first place.

With Isaac on the way and the impending probability of losing power, hand stitching a quilt binding seemed like a good activity to occupy my time. After our yard was all picked up in hurricane preparedness, I made and sewed on the binding.  Orange, one of his favorite colors.

The final step of hand sewing the binding is my favorite part. I thought about waiting until the power went out before starting it, but I couldn't wait. Good thing because we never lost power! And I imagine it would have been pretty warm doing so anyway. The only thing I wasn't able to do right away was throw it in the washer & dryer, which is funny because that's the first Alex asked about. He loves a quilt fresh from the dryer!

And now it's done, freshly washed and dried, and residing on his bed. Now he needs a matching pillow sham. Oh yes, the projects never end! (and I'm perfectly fine with that :))